A Photo Prompt Writing Exercise

 

This is a great picture for a photo prompt writing exercise. Study the photo, not only look but study. Then start the What if...? game and proceed to write a paragraph or a few, or a full story based on what you see here. 

Remember to include sensory details. Use similes or metaphors. Using both of these writing tools will bring your story to life. You can transport readers to the scene. 

Who is that girl? Whose car is it? Where is she? For what reason? Is she waiting for another or several others? Give her a name. 

Photo prompt exercises can be fun. Put your imagination into full gear when you do this one. 

A Springtime Photo Prompt Exercise

Spring is just around the corner here in Kansas. At least, it seems so with the mild temperatures we've had recently. 

The photo poster above seems perfect for a photo prompt exercise. To do this exercise, go through the following checklist:

• Study the photo--take some time, don't just look and move on
• Jot down all the colors you see
• 'Where do you think this might be?
• Who do you think the woman is"
• What is she doing in the garden?
• Is she waiting for someone?
• Has she run away from someone?
• Is she happy or sad? Or frightened? Or angry?
• Where does the garden path lead?
• What time of day is it?
• What does the air feel like? Smell like?
• Show rather than tell

Now, write a paragraph or a few paragraphs after you've gone through the checklist. Be descriptive. Use sensory details. Show emotion. Have fun with this!

A Photo Prompt Writing Exercise and Why We Do Them

Who is she? Where is she? What is she thinking? What kind of day is it? Where is she going? What does she have to do? Where has she been? What is her name? How old is she? 

All the questions will help you write a story or a few paragraphs about this photo prompt above. When doing this exercise you can/should also use or show the following:

• thoughts of the girl
• emotions
• weather
• sounds she hears
• the temperature and its effect
• smells---is that smoke?
• is there fog? 
• why she is sitting
• what about the leaves? color, touch, sound when walked on etc
•  contents of her backpack

I've heard writers say that they can never come up with a good story when doing a photo prompt exercise. It might be that they don't ask themselves questions like the above. You cannot merely look at the picture and expect a fantastic story to sail into your mind. You need a little help. Once you begin asking questions and considering place, emotions, and more, it becomes much easier to write.

And why should you bother with writing exercises like this? Why not concentrate on your present writing project instead of practicing writing? My answer is that the more you do these exercises, the easier writing becomes when you work on your present work in progress. The little extras that we learn to do through the exercises become habit when we write. 

I have some ideas about that young girl in the woods. Do you?

Springtime Photo Prompt For Writers

Here are two spring photos to use as a writing prompt. At my conference last week, I was reminded of what great merit our writing exercises are. We did several interspersed with the presentations and the results were mighty interesting. Amazing how a group of writers all look at the same photo and come up with a different idea. Try the one above or the one below. Remember to study the photo, not just give it a look.

Three Photo Prompts With Fall Scenes

The beginning of September is the perfect time to do some picture prompts using fall scenes. Try to write a few paragraphs, or even a full story using each of these photos for inspiration. Since the weekend is nearly upon us, maybe you'll have a little extra time to try this exercise. 

Anyone who has walked a dog knows how many things you see and hear while doing so. Use your imagination to write a story about this man and his dog. Or is it really his own dog? 

What is this little cutie doing leaning against the tree trunk? Where did she get her purple jacket? Whose child is she? Who is she looking at. Be creative with this one.